"I was the last person cast in the film after meeting Shoojit Sircar. I think casting should happen that way...Not because one actor is doing good in films. When I heard the story, I was so moved by it that I felt the need of doing the film. I need the film more than anyone else in the room at this point of time in my career," Varun said.

October is being touted as "not a love story" but "a story about love."

"When I sign a film, I look at the script more than anything, and how much the maker is putting in the film. In October, Shoojit da, writer Juhi Chaturvedi and every one of our crew members put their heart and soul in it. I had to be a part of this film. They signed me for the film even before Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Judwaa 2," the actor said further.

Talking about his experience of working with Shoojit, Varun said, "Dada (Shoojit) asked me what do I do when I wake up. I said, 'As usual, I check my phone, I post things on social media'. Then he asked me not to do that, and instead observe a plant for 10 minutes. I started doing that and felt a huge change. I unlearned a lot...It was a very different experience."